Serial bus electrical termination control

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods having a node to couple to a serial bus, and a controller to provide a control signal to one of a first circuit path and a second circuit path in order to change electrical termination of a signal at the node between a first electrical termination through the first circuit path during a first mode of the controller and a second electrical termination through the second circuit path during a second mode of the controller. The controller can be arranged to provide the control signal to the first and second circuit paths during the first and second modes without providing another control signal from the controller to the first and second circuit paths during the first and second modes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/419,443, filed Jan. 30, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/497,925, filed Sep. 26, 2014, now issued as U.S.Pat. No. 9,558,144, each of which are incorporated by reference hereinin their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments described herein pertain to electronic data communication.Some embodiments relate to Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication.

BACKGROUND

A serial bus connection (e.g., USB cable) is one of different types ofconnections that allow communication between electrical systems ordevices. Some systems (e.g., personal computers) may include a serialbus controller that can be configured to operate in different roles atdifferent times. For example, some USB controllers may be configured tooperate as a dual-role USB controller, such as a USB host role and a USBdevice role. In according with USB specification, a signal at a certainpin of a USB connector is required to have a specific electricaltermination, depending on which role the USB controller coupled to theUSB connector operates. If the electrical termination required by USBspecification is poorly implemented in a device or system, control logicfor the USB controller of the device or system, circuit board layout, orboth may be complicated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus including a USB controller and terminationcircuits, according to some embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a termination circuit to provideelectrical termination to a signal at a node, according to someembodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a termination circuit that can be avariation of the termination circuit of FIG. 2, according to someembodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a termination circuit includingdetails of a switch, according to some embodiments described herein.

FIG. 5 shows an apparatus in the form of a system, according to someembodiments described herein.

FIG. 6 is flowchart showing a method of operating a USB device orsystem, according to some embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 100 including a USB controller 101 andtermination circuits 110-1 and 110-2, according to some embodimentsdescribed herein. Apparatus 100 can include or be included in anelectronic communication device or system, such as a computer (e.g.,notebook, laptop, or table), a cellular phone, or other electroniccommunication devices or systems. USB controller 102 and terminationcircuits 110-1 and 110-2 can be arranged (e.g., configured) to operatein accordance with USB specification.

USB specification described herein refers to all USB specificationspublished by USB Implementers Forum Inc. in San Francisco, Calif.,including USB 3.1 Specification Revision 1.0, published on Jul. 16,2013; USB Power Delivery Specification Revision 2.0, published on Aug.11, 2014; and USB Type-C Cable and Connector Specification Revision 1.0,published on Aug. 11, 2014.

As shown in FIG. 1, apparatus 100 can include a USB connector 102 toallow it to couple to and communicate (e.g., exchange electricalsignals) with another electronic device or system in accordance with USBspecification. For example, USB connector 102 can be coupled to a USBconnector 103 of electronic system 104 through a USB connection (e.g.,USB cable) 105. Electronic system 104 can include a USB unit 106 (e.g.,a USB host, USB device, or USB dual-role host and device) that canoperate in accordance with USB specification. Although not shown in FIG.1, USB unit 106 may include a USB controller and termination circuitsthat are similar to, or identical to, USB controller 101 and terminationcircuits 110-1 and 110-2 of apparatus 100.

Each of USB connectors 102 and 103 can include a USB Type-C connector, aUSB Type-C adapter, or another type of connector or adapter compatiblewith a USB Type-C connector.

USB connection 105 can include a combination of USB Type-C connectors(not shown for simplicity) and wires (e.g., copper wires) to allow it tocouple to (e.g., mate with) USB connectors 102 and 103. For simplicity,only two wires 107 and 108 of USB connection 105 are shown in FIG. 1.USB connection 105 includes other wires (not shown) for conductingsignals (e.g., D+, D−, ground, etc.) in accordance with USBspecification. In the example of FIG. 1, wire 107 can be used to carrypower (e.g., voltage V_(BUS)) between USB connectors 102 and 103. Wire108 can be used to carry Configuration Channel (CC) information (e.g.,CC signal) in accordance with USB Type-C Cable and ConnectorSpecification.

As shown in FIG. 1, USB connector 102 can include pins 120-1, 120-2, and131. USB connector 102 also includes other pins (not shown) forconducting signals (e.g., D+, D−, ground, etc.) in accordance with USBspecification. In FIG. 1, pin 131 can correspond to V_(BUS) pin of a USBType-C connector and can be coupled to wire 107 of USB connection 105 toprovide power to or receive power from USB unit 106. Pins 120-1 and120-2 can correspond to CC1 and CC2 pins, respectively, of a USB Type-Cconnector (e.g., USB Type-C receptacle). Each of pins 120-1 and 120-2can be referred to as a Configuration Channel pin (CC pin).

Connector 102 can be arranged such that either pin 120-1 or pin 120-2,but not both, can be coupled to the Configuration Channel (e.g., wire108) of a USB connection (e.g., USB connection 105) as specified by USBType-C Cable and Connector Specification. FIG. 1 shows an example wherepin 120-1 is coupled to the Configuration Channel (e.g., wire 108) ofUSB connection 105 and pin 120-2 is not coupled to the ConfigurationChannel of USB connection 105. However, in another example, pin 120-2can be coupled to the Configuration Channel of USB connection 105 andpin 120-1 is not coupled to the Configuration Channel of USB connection105.

Apparatus 100 can include nodes 130-1 and 130-2 coupled to pins 120-1and 120-2, respectively, of USB connector 102. The signals at nodes130-1 and 130-2 are the same as the signals at pins 120-1 and 120-2,respectively. Depending on which mode (e.g., USB host mode or USB devicemode) that USB controller 101 operates (as described in more detailbelow), the signals at nodes 130-1 and 130-2 can be terminated to asupply node 191 (e.g., terminate to voltage VDD in USB host mode) or toa supply node 190 (e.g., terminate to ground in USB device mode).

Termination circuit 110-1 can be arranged to provide differentelectrical terminations for the signal at node 130-1. For example,termination circuit 110-1 can terminate the signal at node 130-1 tosupply node 191 through a circuit path 141 or to supply node 190 througha circuit path 140. Circuit path 141 can include a resistor (e.g., apull-up resistor) between node 130-1 (e.g., CC1 pin) and supply node191. Circuit path 140 can include a resistor (e.g., a pull-downresistor) between node 130-1 and supply node 190.

Termination circuit 110-2 can be arranged to provide differentelectrical terminations for the signal at node 130-2. For example,termination circuit 110-2 can terminate the signal at node 130-2 tosupply node 191 through a circuit path 151 or to supply node 190 througha circuit path 150. Circuit path 151 can include a resistor (e.g., apull-up resistor) between node 130-2 (e.g., CC2 pin) and supply node191. Circuit path 150 can include a resistor (e.g., a pull-downresistor) between node 130-2 and supply node 190.

Termination circuits 110-1 and 110-2 can be controlled by the samecontrol signal HOST_SEL and can include similar, or identical, elements(e.g., transistors, diodes, and resistors, which are not shown in FIG.1).

USB controller 101 can generate control signal HOST_SEL and use it tocontrol termination circuits 110-1 and 110-2 in order to control (e.g.,change) electrical terminations of the signals at nodes 130-1 and 130-2.USB controller 101 (that can be included in a USB unit of apparatus 100)can be arranged to operate in different modes (e.g., different USBroles). For example, USB controller 101 can operate as a USB host (e.g.,as a USB Downstream Facing Port (DFP)) at one time and as a USB device(e.g., as a USB Upstream Facing Port (UFP)) at another time. Thus, USBcontroller 101 can be arranged to operate as a USB dual-role (USB hostand device), such as USB dual-role port (DRP). USB controller 101 canuse control signal HOST_SEL to cause termination circuits 110-1 and110-2 to change electrical terminations of the signals at nodes 130-1and 130-2, depending on which mode USB controller 101 operates.

For example, USB controller 101 can use control signal HOST_SEL to causetermination circuits 110-1 and 110-2 to terminate the signals at node130-1 and 130-2 to supply node 191 if USB controller 101 operates as aUSB host (e.g., USB host port). USB controller 101 can use controlsignal HOST_SEL to cause termination circuits 110-1 and 110-2 toterminate the signals at node 130-1 and 130-2 to supply node 190 if USBcontroller 101 operates as a USB device (e.g., USB device port).

As shown in FIG. 1, apparatus 100 can include a battery 160 to providesupply power to USB controller 101 and other parts of apparatus 100. USBcontroller 101 can be in a powered condition or in an unpoweredcondition. The powered and unpowered conditions in USB controller 101can include powered and unpowered conditions in a USB unit (a USB host(e.g., DFP), a USB device (e.g., UFP), or USB dual-role port (DRP)) inaccordance with USB specification.

In FIG. 1, for example, the powered condition of USB controller 101 canoccur when the level of battery 160 is at a sufficient (e.g., normal)level (e.g., 3.3V or 5.5V) that allows USB controller 101 to operate(e.g., as USB host or device) in accordance with USB specification. Inthe powered condition, USB controller 101 can control electricalterminations at nodes 130-1 and 130-2 in order to allow it to operate asa USB host or a USB device, as described above.

The unpowered condition of USB controller 101 can occur when battery 160is dead (or deemed to be dead) or when battery 160 is in a dead batterystate. The dead battery state may occur when the power level of battery160 is zero or is less than a selected value (e.g., predeterminedvalue). The dead battery state may also occur when the value of voltageVDD at supply node 191 is zero or less than a selected value (e.g.,predetermined value). For example, if voltage VDD has a normal voltageof 3.3V, the dead battery state may occur when the value of voltage VDDis less than 2V. USB controller 101 may enter (e.g., or may be in) adead battery state when it is in an unpowered condition.

USB controller 101 (or apparatus 100) can be arranged to receive powerfrom another device or system (e.g., electronic system 104) when USBcontroller 101 is in an unpowered condition. Termination circuits 110-1and 110-2 can to allow USB unit 106 to detect connection (e.g., thepresence) of USB controller 101 (or apparatus 100) when USB controller101 (or apparatus 100) is in an unpowered condition. This allows USBunit 106 to provide power to USB controller 101. USB controller 101 mayuse the power provided by USB unit 106 to charge battery 160. USBcontroller 101 may switch from the unpowered condition (e.g., a deadbattery state) to the powered condition when battery 160 is charged to asufficient level.

Termination circuits 110-1 and 110-2 can be arranged such that USB unit106 can treat USB controller 101 as a USB device (e.g., UFP) when USBunit 106 detects connection of USB controller 101 and USB controller 101is in an unpowered condition. This allows USB unit 106 to operate as aUSB host (e.g., DFP) and provide power to USB controller 101. USB unit106 can detect connection of USB controller 101 and treat it as a USBdevice if the voltage on the Configuration Channel (e.g., on wire 108)of USB connection 105 is less than an unterminated voltage of USB unit106 voltage (e.g., less than voltage VDD as specified by USBspecification). Termination circuits 110-1 and 110-2 are arranged suchthat the voltage at each of nodes 130-1 and 130-2 can be less than theunterminated voltage of USB unit 106 when USB unit 106 is coupled toconnector 102 and USB controller 101 is in an unpowered condition. Forexample, termination circuits 110-1 and 110-2 can terminate the signalsat nodes 130-1 and 130-2 to supply node 190 to cause the voltage on theConfiguration Channel (e.g., pin 120-1 or 120-2) to be less than theunterminated voltage of USB unit 106 when USB unit 106 is coupled toconnector 102 and USB controller 101 is in an unpowered condition.

As shown in FIG. 1, apparatus 100 may include a circuit board 170. USBcontroller 101 can include or be included in an integrated circuit (IC)chip (e.g., a semiconductor chip or IC package) that can be attached(e.g., mounted on) to circuit board 170.

FIG. 1 shows an example where termination circuits 110-1 and 110-2 arelocated on circuit board 170 and outside USB controller 101. In analternative arrangement, at least a portion of each of terminationcircuits 110-1 and 110-2 can be included in USB controller 101. Forexample, a portion of termination circuit 110-1, a portion oftermination circuit 110-2, or both can be included in the same chip withUSB controller 101. In another example, the entire termination circuit110-1, 110-2, or both, can be included in the same chip with USBcontroller 101.

The above description uses USB communication technique as an example.The embodiments described herein may also apply to other communicationtechniques besides USB communication technique. For example, theembodiments described herein may apply to electronic systems (ordevices) that may communicate with each other in accordance with anothertype of serial bus specification different from USB specification.

Each of termination circuit 110-1 and 110-2 described above may includeembodiments of the termination circuits described below with referenceto FIG. 2 through FIG. 4.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a termination circuit 210 to provideelectrical termination to a signal at a node 230, according to someembodiments described herein. Termination circuit 210 can be used as (orcan correspond to) termination circuit 110-1 or 110-2 of FIG. 1. Node230 of FIG. 2 can corresponds to node 130-1 or 130-2 of FIG. 1. Thus,node 230 of FIG. 2 can be arranged to couple to a Configuration Channelof a USB connection (e.g., USB connection 105 of FIG. 1). For example,node 230 of FIG. 2 can be coupled to Configuration Channel of a USBconnection through a CC1 pin or a CC2 pin of a USB Type-C connector,such as USB connector 102 of FIG. 1.

Termination circuit 210 in FIG. 2 can receive control signal HOST_SELgenerated by a USB controller 201, which can correspond to USBcontroller 101 of FIG. 1. Termination circuit 210 can respond to controlsignal HOST_SEL to provide different electrical terminations for thesignal at node 230 to allow USB controller 201 to operate in differentmodes (e.g., USB host mode or USB device mode). In FIG. 2, terminationcircuit 210 can include a supply node 291 to receive a voltage VDD(e.g., a positive supply rail voltage) and a supply node 290 that can becoupled to ground. Supply nodes 290 and 291 can be coupled to a battery(e.g., battery 160 of FIG. 1).

Termination circuit 210 can terminate the signal at node 230 to supplynode 291 through a circuit path 241 if USB controller 201 operates inUSB host mode (e.g., operates as a USB host). Termination circuit 210can terminate the signal at node 230 to supply node 290 through acircuit path 240 if USB controller 201 operates in USB device mode(e.g., operates as a USB device).

As shown in FIG. 2, termination circuit 210 can include a switch 225, adiode D1, and resistors R1, R2, and R3. Resistor R1 can be included incircuit path 241. Diode D1 and resistor R3 can be included in circuitpath 240. As shown in FIG. 2, diode D1 and resistor R3 can be coupled inseries directly between node 230 and supply node 290.

In a powered condition of USB controller 201, the signal at node 230 canbe terminated to supply node 291 to allow USB controller 201 to operatein USB host mode. In this USB host mode, USB controller 201 can drivecontrol signal HOST_SEL to a level (e.g., logic one level) in order toturn on switch 225. This can couple node 226 to supply node 291 throughswitch 225, such that a voltage V_(HOST) at node 226 can be voltage VDD(e.g., 3.3V). Diode D1 is reversed biased (because of the connection ofresistor R2). Thus, node 230 is not coupled to supply node 290 throughR3. The signal at node 230 is terminated (e.g., pulled up) to voltageV_(HOST) (or voltage VDD at node 291) through resistor R1. This allowsUSB controller 201 to operate in USB host mode.

In a powered condition of USB controller 201, the signal at node 230 canbe terminated to supply node 290 to allow USB controller 201 to operatein USB device mode. In this USB device mode, USB controller 201 candrive control signal HOST_SEL to a level (e.g., logic zero level) inorder to turn off switch 225. When switch 225 is turned off, node 226 isdecoupled from supply node 291 and has high impedance to ground. When aUSB unit (e.g., USB unit 106 in FIG. 1) is coupled to node 230 throughConfiguration Channel of a USB connection (e.g., through wire 108 inFIG. 1), the voltage (e.g., supply voltage such as VDD) from the USBunit applied to node 230 can cause diode D1 to be forward biased. Thesignal at node 230 can be terminated (e.g., pulled down) to ground atnode 290 through resistor R3. This allows USB controller 201 to operatein USB device mode.

In an unpowered condition of USB controller 201, termination circuit 210can allow another USB unit (e.g., USB unit 106 of FIG. 1) to detectconnection (e.g., the presence) of USB controller 201 (or apparatus 100)and provide power to USB controller 201. In the unpowered condition,control signal HOST_SEL can be at zero volts. Thus, switch 225 is turnedoff. Node 226 has high impedance to ground. The voltage VDD at node 291may have a value of zero volts (e.g., USB controller 201 is in a deadbattery state). When a USB unit (e.g., USB unit 106 in FIG. 1) iscoupled to node 230 through a Configuration Channel of a USB connection(e.g., through wire 108 in FIG. 1), the voltage (e.g., supply voltagesuch as VDD) from the USB unit applied to node 230 can cause diode D1 tobe forward biased. The signal at node 230 can be terminated (e.g.,pulled down) to ground at node 290 through resistor R3. This allows theUSB unit to detect connection of USB controller 201 and provide power toUSB controller 201.

Thus, as described above, the same circuit path 240 may allowtermination of the signal at node 230 to supply node 290 (throughcircuit path 240) in both powered and unpowered conditions. This mayreduce the number of circuit elements in termination circuit 210,simplify logic control in USB controller 201, or both.

In FIG. 2, voltage VDD, resistors R1 and R3 can have values to allowtermination circuit 210 to provide electrical termination to the signalat node 230 (e.g., CC1 or CC2 pin of a USB Type-C connector) inaccordance with USB specification. For example, voltage VDD can have avalue of 3.3V or 5V. Resistors R1 and R3 can have values of 36K ohms and5.1K ohms, respectively. Resistor R2 can have a value significantly lessthan that of resistor R1. For example, resistor R2 can have a value ofapproximately 100 ohms. Diode D1 can include a Schottky diode. Switch225 can include one or more transistors, such as p-channel transistors,n-channel transistors, or a combination of both.

In some applications, a driver (e.g., a tri-state driver) of a powerdelivery (PD) controller (not shown in FIG. 2) may drive a signal (e.g.,power delivery baseband signal) on node 230. Such a signal at node 230can swing between 75 mV (e.g., logic zero) and 1050 mV (e.g., logicone). Such a signal driven by the PD controller can include USB PDBi-phase Mark Coded communication as defined in USB Power DeliverySpecification Revision 2.0, Aug. 11, 2014. USB PD communication is usedto establish power contracts between USB devices or systems (e.g., powercontracts between apparatus 100 to electronic system 104 in FIG. 1)defined by USB 2.0 and USB 3.1 specifications. USB PD communication isalso used to swap the DFP and UFP roles, and to communicate with the USBcable (e.g., USB connection 105 in FIG. 1). The PD controller describedherein can be included in an apparatus (e.g., apparatus 100) thatincludes controller 201 and termination circuits 210. This PD controller(included the apparatus that includes controller 201 and terminationcircuits 210) may be configured to communicate with another PDcontroller (e.g., another USB PD controller) in an external system(e.g., electronic system 104) to establish bidirectional PDcommunication with the external system in accordance with USB PowerDelivery Specification.

In FIG. 2, the arrangement of diode D1 and resistor R3 in circuit path240 allows such a signal (e.g., power delivery baseband signal) to bedriven on node 230 without requiring USB controller 201 to be in poweredcondition. For example, because of the arrangement of circuit path 240,the voltage at node 230 may not be clamped to a value (e.g., a valueclose to 1050 mV) that may present driving of that signal on node 230.Thus, in addition to providing appropriate electrical termination forthe signal at node 230 when USB controller 201 is in an unpoweredcondition, circuit path 240 may also allow driving of a signal that mayswing between logic zero and logic one. As shown in FIG. 2, circuit path240 may include only a diode (e.g., diode D1) and a resistor (e.g.,resistor R3) and may not include a transistor. Thus, USB controller 201may provide only control signal HOST_SEL to control switch 225 incircuit path 241 in order to control (e.g., change) electricaltermination for the signal (e.g., Configuration Channel signal) at node230 during both USB host and device modes, without providing anothercontrol signal (e.g., a second control signal) to circuit paths 240 and241 during both USB host and device modes.

As described above, USB controller 201 may use only one control signal(e.g., HOST_SEL) during both USB host and device modes to controltermination circuit 210 in order to change electrical termination of thesignal at node 230. For example, as described above, electricaltermination of the signal at node 230 can be changed between electricaltermination to supply node 291 (e.g., voltage VDD) and electricaltermination to supply node 290 (e.g., ground).

Using only one such control signal (instead of multiple control signals)during both USB host and device modes may simplify implementation (e.g.,simplify control logic) for USB controller 201. USB controller 201 mayinclude (e.g., may be formed in or on) an IC chip (e.g., a semiconductorchip or IC package). The single signal (e.g., HOST_SEL), as describedabove, may reduce (or save) the number of pins of the chip (e.g., ICpackage) that include USB controller 201. This may reduce chip size,chip cost, and/or allow room for additional pin (or pins) of the chipfor other function. Since only one control signal (e.g., HOST_SEL) isused, circuit board area may also be reduced.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a termination circuit 310 that canbe a variation of termination circuit 210 in FIG. 2, according to someembodiments described herein. Termination circuit 310 can includeelements similar to, or identical to, those of termination circuit 210.Thus, for simplicity, the description of similar or identical elementsbetween termination circuit 210 and 310 is not repeated in thedescription of termination circuit 310. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3,differences between circuits 210 and 310 can include a current source337 in termination circuit 310 of FIG. 3. Current source 337 can replaceresistor R1 of termination circuit 210 of FIG. 2.

Termination circuit 310 can be used as termination circuit 110-1 or110-2 of FIG. 1. The operation of USB controller 201 and terminationcircuit 310 in powered and unpowered conditions can be similar to thosedescribed above with reference to FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, for example, tooperate in USB host mode, switch 225 can be turned on to provide voltageV_(HOST) at node 226 with a value (e.g., 1.7V to 5.5V) sufficient topower current source 337 and cause diode D1 to be reversed biased. Thisallows the signal at node 230 of termination circuit 310 to beterminated to supply node 291 in order to allow USB controller 201 oftermination circuit 310 to operate in USB host mode.

To operate in USB device mode, switch 225 of termination circuit 310 canbe turned off. Node 226 has high impedance to ground. When a USB unit(e.g., a USB host) is connected to node 230, diode D1 can be forwardbiased. The signal at node 230 is pulled down to ground through resistorR3. This allows the signal at node 230 of termination circuit 310 ofFIG. 3 to be terminated to supply node 290 of termination circuit 310 inorder to allow USB controller 201 of termination circuit 310 to operatein USB device mode.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a termination circuit 410 includingdetails of a switch 425, according to some embodiments described herein.Termination circuit 410 can include elements similar to, or identicalto, those of termination circuit 210. Thus, for simplicity, thedescription for similar or identical elements between terminationcircuit 210 and 410 is not repeated in the description of terminationcircuit 410. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, differences between circuits210 and 310 include details of switch 425 of termination circuit 410 ofFIG. 4.

Switch 425 can include a transistor (e.g., a p-channel transistor) M1, atransistor (e.g., an n-channel transistor) M2, a resistor R4, and adiode D2 (which can include a Schottky diode).

Termination circuit 310 can be used as termination circuit 110-1 or110-2 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 4, the signal at node 230 can terminated tosupply node 291 to allow USB controller 201 to operate in USB host modewhen USB controller is in a powered condition. The signal at node 230can terminated to supply node 290 to allow USB controller 201 to operatein USB device mode when USB controller is in a powered condition. In anunpowered condition, the signal at node 230 can also be terminated tosupply node 290 to allow USB controller 201 to operate as a USB deviceto receive power from another USB unit.

In a powered condition, to operate in USB host mode, USB controller 201in FIG. 4 can drive control signal HOST_SEL to a level (e.g., logic onelevel) in order to turn on transistor M2. This also turns on transistorM1. Diode D2 is forward biased. Node 226 is coupled to supply node 291.Thus, voltage V_(HOST) at node 226 can be voltage VDD (e.g., 3.3V).Diode D1 is reversed biased. Thus, node 230 is not coupled to supplynode 290. The signal at node 230 is pulled up to voltage V_(HOST) (orvoltage VDD at node 291) through resistor R1 in order to allow USBcontroller 201 of termination circuit 410 to operate in USB host mode.

In a powered condition, to operate in operate in USB device mode, USBcontroller 201 of termination circuit 410 can drive control signalHOST_SEL to a level (e.g., logic zero level) in order to turn offtransistor M2. Transistor M1 is also turned off. Diode D2 is reversedbiased. Node 226 is decoupled from supply node 291 and has highimpedance to ground. When a USB unit (e.g., a USB host, such as USB unit106 in FIG. 1) is connected to node 230, the voltage (e.g., VDD) fromthe USB unit applied to node 230 can cause diode D1 to be forwardbiased. The voltage at node 230 is pulled down to ground throughresistor R3. This allows the signal at node 230 to be terminated tosupply node 290 in order to allow USB controller 201 of terminationcircuit 410 to operate in USB device mode.

In an unpowered condition, USB controller 201 and termination circuit410 can allow a USB unit (e.g., a USB host) to detect connection andprovide power to USB controller 201. In an unpowered condition, controlsignal HOST_SEL can be at zero volts. Transistors M1 and M2 are turnedoff. Diode D2 blocks reverse current flow from node 230 to supply node291. This may protect other components that use power provided by supplynode 291 from operational failures. When transistors M1 is turned off,node 226 has high impedance to ground. When a USB unit is connected tonode 230, the USB unit can detect the connection and provide power toUSB controller 201.

FIG. 4 shows an example where the components (e.g., transistors M1 andM2, resistors R1, R2, R3, and R4, and diodes D1 and D2) of terminationcircuit 410 are located outside USB controller 201. In an alternativearrangement, a portion (some of the components) of termination circuit410 can be included in (e.g., located on the same IC chip with) USBcontroller 201, and another portion of termination circuit 410 can belocated on (e.g., soldered to) a circuit board (e.g., circuit board 170of FIG. 1) and outside USB controller 201. In another alternativearrangement, all of the components of termination circuit 410 may beincluded in (e.g., located on the same IC chip with) USB controller 201.

As shown in FIG. 4, circuit paths 241 and 240 include only onetransistor (e.g., transistor M1) between node 230 and one of supplynodes 290 and 291 (e.g., between node 230 and supply node 291).Including only one transistor M1 in circuit paths 240 and 241 may allowonly one control signal (e.g., HOST_SEL) to control transistor M1 (e.g.,by turning on or off transistor M2 using control signal HOST_SEL). Thismay simplify control logic in USB controller 201 (FIG. 4), reduce thenumber of pins (e.g., output pin) of an IC chip that include USBcontroller 201, or both.

As described above, diode D2 may protect other components that use powerprovided by supply node 219 from operational failures. However, thearrangement of transistor M1 on circuit path 241 in FIG. 4 may allowdiode D2 to be omitted from termination circuit 410 without causingoperational failures to other components that may use power from supplynode 291. For example, without diode D2, the voltage across transistorM1 (e.g., voltage across forward biased body diode of transistor M1) maylimit the voltage VDD to be at a value that may be acceptable to othercomponents, such that operational failures may not occur.

FIG. 5 shows an apparatus in the form of an electronic communicationsystem 500, according to some embodiments described herein. System 500can include or be included in a computer, a cellular phone, or otherelectronic systems. As shown in FIG. 5, system 500 can include aprocessor 509, a memory device 520, a memory controller 530, a graphicscontroller 540, an input and output (I/O) controller 550, a display 552,a keyboard 554, a pointing device 556, at least one antenna 558,termination circuits 510-1 and 510-2, a USB connector 502, and a bus560. In some arrangements, system 500 does not have to include anyantenna. Thus, antenna 558 can be omitted from system 500.

Processor 509 may include a general-purpose processor or an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Memory device 520 may include a dynamic random access memory (DRAM)device, a static random access memory (SRAM) device, a flash memorydevice, or a combination of these memory devices. FIG. 5 shows anexample where memory device 520 is a stand-alone memory device separatedfrom processor 509. In an alternative arrangement, memory device 520 andprocessor 509 can be located on the same die. In such an alternativearrangement, memory device 520 is an embedded memory in processor 509,such as embedded DRAM (eDRAM), embedded SRAM (eSRAM), embedded flashmemory, or another type of embedded memory.

Display 552 can include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a touchscreen(e.g., capacitive or resistive touchscreen), or another type of display.Pointing device 556 can include a mouse, a stylus, or another type ofpointing device.

I/O controller 550 can include a communication module for wired orwireless communication (e.g., communication through one or more antenna558). Such wireless communication may include communication inaccordance with WiFi communication technique, Long Term EvolutionAdvanced (LTE-A) communication technique, or other communicationtechniques.

I/O controller 550 can also include a module (e.g., a USB controller) toallow system 500 to communicate with other devices or systems inaccordance with USB specification. For example, I/O controller 550 caninclude a USB controller, which can be any of the USB controllers (e.g.,USB controller 101 or 201) described above with reference to FIG. 2through FIG. 4.

Each of termination circuits 510-1 and 510-2 can include any of thetermination circuits (e.g., 210, 310, and 410) described above withreference to FIG. 2 through FIG. 4. USB connector 502 can include USBconnector 102 of FIG. 1. I/O controller 550 (which can include a USBcontroller) and termination circuits 510-1 and 510-2 can be arranged tooperate in ways similar to, or identical, to those of any of the USBcontrollers and termination circuits described above with reference toFIG. 2 through FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 shows the components of system 500 arranged separated from eachother as an example. In some arrangements, two or more components(processor 509, memory device 520, and I/O controller 550) of system 500can be located on the same die (e.g., same IC chip) that forms asystem-on-chip (SoC).

FIG. 6 is flowchart showing a method 600 of operating an electroniccommunication device or system, including a USB device or system,according to some embodiments described herein. The USB device or systemused in method 600 can include a USB controller described above withreference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 6, activity 602 of method 600 can include terminating asignal at a node to a supply node (e.g., voltage VDD) through a circuitpath during a mode (e.g., USB host mode) of the USB controller. Thesupply node and circuit path in activity 602 can include supply node 191or 291 and circuit path 141 or 241 described above with reference toFIG. 2 through FIG. 4.

Activity 604 of method 600 can include terminating the signal at thenode to another supply node (e.g., ground) through another circuit pathduring another mode (e.g., USB device mode) of the USB controller. Thesupply node and circuit path in activity 604 can include supply node 190or 290 and circuit path 140 or 240 described above with reference toFIG. 2 through FIG. 4.

In activities 602 and 604, terminating the signal during the modes(e.g., both USB host and device modes) of the USB controller can includeproviding a control signal from the USB controller to the circuit pathsduring the modes of the USB controller to control at least onetransistor in the circuit paths without providing another control signalfrom the USB controller to the circuit paths during the modes of the USBcontroller.

Method 600 can include fewer or more activities than activities 602 and604 shown in FIG. 6. For example, method 600 can include activities andoperations of apparatus 100, USB unit 106, USB controllers 101 and 201,I/O controller 550, termination circuits 110-1, 110-2, 210, 310, and410, and system 500, described above with reference to FIG. 1 throughFIG. 5.

The illustrations of the apparatuses (e.g., apparatus 100 and system500) and methods (e.g., operations of apparatus 100 and system 500, andmethod 600) described above are intended to provide a generalunderstanding of the structure of different embodiments and are notintended to provide a complete description of all the elements andfeatures of an apparatus that might make use of the structures describedherein.

The apparatuses and methods described above can include or be includedin high-speed computers, communication and signal processing circuitry,single or multi-processor modules, single or multiple embeddedprocessors, multi-core processors, message information switches, andapplication-specific modules including multilayer, multi-chip modules.Such apparatuses may further be included as sub-components within avariety of other apparatuses (e.g., electronic systems), such astelevisions, cellular telephones, personal computers (e.g., notebookcomputers, laptop computers, desktop computers, handheld computers,tablet computers, etc.), workstations, radios, video players, audioplayers (e.g., MP3 (Motion Picture Experts Group, Audio Layer 3)players), vehicles, medical devices (e.g., heart monitor, blood pressuremonitor, etc.), set top boxes, and others.

ADDITIONAL NOTES AND EXAMPLES

Example 1 includes subject matter (such as a device, apparatus, ormachine) comprising a node to couple to a serial bus, and a controllerto provide a control signal to one of a first circuit path and a secondcircuit path in order to change electrical termination of a signal atthe node between a first electrical termination through the firstcircuit path during a first mode of the controller and a secondelectrical termination through the second circuit path during a secondmode of the controller without providing another control signal from thecontroller to the first and second circuit paths during the first andsecond modes.

In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 may optionally include,wherein the serial bus includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB).

In Example 3, the subject matter of Example 1 may optionally include,wherein.

In Example 4, the subject matter of any of Example 1 through Example 3may optionally include, wherein.

Example 5 includes subject matter (such as a device, apparatus, ormachine) comprising a node to couple to a Configuration Channel of aUniversal Serial Bus (USB) connection, a first circuit path to terminatea signal at the node to a first supply node, and a second circuit pathincluding a diode and a resistor to terminate the signal at the node toa second supply node.

In Example 6, the subject matter of Example 5 may optionally include,wherein the diode is arranged to be reversed biased when the signal atthe node is terminated to the first supply node.

In Example 7, the subject matter of Example 5 or Example 6 mayoptionally include, wherein the diode is arranged to be forward biasedwhen the signal at the node is terminated to the second supply node.

In Example 8, the subject matter of Example 5 may optionally include,wherein the first circuit path includes a current source coupled betweenthe node and the first supply node.

In Example 9, the subject matter of Example 5 may optionally include,wherein the first circuit path includes an additional diode coupledbetween the node and the first supply node.

In Example 10, the subject matter of Example 5 may optionally include,wherein the first supply node is arranged to couple to a positivevoltage, and the second supply node is arranged to couple to ground.

In Example 11, the subject matter of any of Example 5 through Example 10may optionally include, wherein the first and second circuit pathsinclude only one transistor between the node and one of the first andsecond supply nodes.

Example 12 includes subject matter (such as a device, apparatus, ormachine) comprising a node to couple to a Configuration Channel of aUniversal Serial Bus (USB) connection to receive a signal, a USBcontroller to provide a control signal to one of a first circuit pathand a second circuit path in order to change electrical termination of asignal at the node between a first electrical termination through thefirst circuit path during USB host mode of the USB controller and asecond electrical termination through the second circuit path during USBdevice mode of the USB controller, wherein the USB controller isarranged to provide the control signal to the first and second circuitpaths during the USB host and device modes without providing anothercontrol signal from the USB controller to the first and second circuitpaths during the USB host and device modes, a processor coupled to theUSB controller, and an antenna coupled to the processor

In Example 13, the subject matter of Example 12 may optionally include,a USB connector having a first Configuration Channel (CC1) pin and asecond Configuration Channel (CC2) pin, wherein the node is coupled toone of the CC1 and CC2 pins.

In Example 14, the subject matter of Example 12 or Example 13 mayoptionally include, wherein the second circuit path is arranged toterminate the signal at the node to the second supply node through aresistor included in the second circuit path when the USB controller isa powered condition, and the second circuit path is arranged toterminate the signal at the node to the second supply node through theresistor when the USB controller is in an unpowered condition.

In Example 15, the subject matter of any of Example 12 through Example14 may optionally include, wherein one of the first and second circuitpaths includes a transistor and a resistor, and at least one of thetransistor and the resistor is included in the USB controller.

In Example 16, the subject matter of Example 12 may optionally include,a circuit board, wherein one of the first and second circuit pathsincludes a transistor and a resistor, and at least one of the transistorand the resistor is located on the circuit board.

In Example 17, the subject matter of Example 12 may optionally include,an additional node to couple to the Configuration Channel, and whereinthe USB controller is arranged to provide the control signal to one of athird circuit path and a fourth circuit path in order to changeelectrical termination of a signal at the additional node between athird electrical termination through the third circuit path during theUSB host mode and a fourth electrical termination through the fourthcircuit path during the USB device mode, wherein the USB controller isarranged to provide the control signal to the third and fourth circuitpaths during the USB host and device modes without providing anothercontrol signal from the USB controller to the third and fourth circuitpaths during the USB host and device modes.

Example 18 includes subject matter including a method of operating anelectronic communication apparatus, including a USB device or system,the method comprising terminating a signal at a node to a first supplynode through a first circuit path during a first mode of a USBcontroller, and terminating the signal at the node to a second supplynode through a second circuit path during a second mode of the USBcontroller, wherein terminating the signal during the first and secondmodes includes providing a control signal from the USB controller to thefirst and second circuit paths during the first and second modes tocontrol at least one transistor in the first and second circuit pathswithout providing another control signal from the USB controller to thefirst and second circuit paths during the first and second modes.

In Example 19, the subject matter of Example 18 may optionally include,providing power to a first pin of a USB connector during the first mode,wherein the node is coupled to a second pin of the USB connector, andthe second pin includes a Configuration Channel pin of the USBconnector.

In Example 20, the subject matter of Example 18 or Example 19 mayoptionally include, receiving power from a first pin of a USB connectorduring the second mode, wherein the node is coupled to a second pin ofthe USB connector, and the second pin includes a Configuration Channelpin of the USB connector.

The subject matter of Example 1 through Example 20 may be combined inany combination.

The above description and the drawings illustrate some embodiments toenable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments of theinvention. Other embodiments may incorporate structural, logical,electrical, process, and other changes. Examples merely typify possiblevariations. Portions and features of some embodiments may be includedin, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. Many otherembodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon readingand understanding the above description.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b)requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the natureand gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scopeor meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporatedinto the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as aseparate embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a node to couple to aConfiguration Channel pin of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) type-Cconnection; a first supply node; a second supply node; a first circuitpath coupled to the node and the first supply node; a second circuitpath coupled to the node and the second supply node; and a controller toprovide a control signal to allow the first node to be electricallycoupled to the first supply node during a USB host mode of thecontroller, and the controller to provide the control signal to allowthe first node to be electrically coupled to the second supply nodeduring a USB device mode of the controller, wherein the first circuitpath includes a switch coupled between the node and the first supplynode, the second circuit path includes a diode coupled between the nodeand the second supply node, the diode includes an anode and a cathode,the anode is coupled to a terminal of the switch through a portion ofthe first circuit path, and the cathode is coupled to the terminal ofthe switch through a circuit path between the terminal of the switch andthe cathode.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ConfigurationChannel pin includes a Configuration Channel CC1 pin of the USB type-Cconnection.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ConfigurationChannel pin includes a Configuration Channel CC2 pin of the USB type-Cconnection.
 4. An apparatus comprising: a node to couple to aConfiguration Channel pin of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) type-Cconnection; a first supply node; a second supply node; a first circuitpath coupled to the node and the first supply node; a second circuitpath coupled to the node and the second supply node; a switch includedin the first circuit path, the switch being coupled between the node andthe first supply node; and a diode included in the second circuit path,the diode being coupled between the node and the second supply node,wherein the diode includes an anode and a cathode, the anode is coupledto a terminal of the switch through a portion of the first circuit path,and the cathode is coupled to the terminal of the switch through acircuit path between the terminal of the switch and the cathode.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein the Configuration Channel pin includes aConfiguration Channel CC1 pin of the USB type-C connection.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein the Configuration Channel pin includes aConfiguration Channel CC2 pin of the USB type-C connection.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein the circuit path between the terminal ofthe switch and the cathode includes a resistor, the resistor includes afirst terminal coupled to the terminal of the switch, and the resistorincludes a second terminal coupled to the cathode of the diode.
 8. Anapparatus comprising: a node to couple to a Configuration Channel pin ofa Universal Serial Bus (USB) type-C connection; a first supply node; asecond supply node; a first circuit path coupled to the node and thefirst supply node; a second circuit path coupled to the node and thesecond supply node; a switch included in the first circuit path, theswitch being coupled between the node and the first supply node; and adiode included in the second circuit path, the diode being coupledbetween the node and the second supply node, wherein the first circuitpath includes an additional diode coupled between the switch and thenode.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a USB controllerto turn on the switch during a USB host mode of the USB controller. 10.The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a USB controller o turn offthe switch during a USB device mode of the USB controller.
 11. Anapparatus comprising: a node to couple to a Configuration Channel pin ofa Universal Serial Bus (USB) type-C connection; a first supply node; asecond supply node; a first circuit path coupled to the node and thefirst supply node; a second circuit path coupled to the node and thesecond supply node: a switch included in the first circuit path, theswitch being coupled between the node and the first supply node; and adiode included in the second circuit path the diode being coupledbetween the node and the second supply node, wherein the first circuitpath includes an additional diode coupled between the node and the firstsupply node.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the switch includesa transistor, and the transistor and the additional diode are coupledbetween the node and the first supply node.
 13. An apparatus comprising:a node to couple to a Configuration Channel pin of a Universal SerialBus (USB) type-C connection; a first supply node; a second supply node;a first circuit path coupled to the node and the first supply node; asecond circuit path coupled to the node and the second supply node; aswitch included in the first circuit path, the switch being coupledbetween the node and the first supply node; a diode included in thesecond circuit path, the diode being coupled between the node and thesecond supply node, wherein the diode includes an anode and a cathode,the anode is coupled to a terminal of the switch through a portion ofthe first circuit path, and the cathode is coupled to the terminal ofthe switch through a circuit path between the terminal of the switch andthe cathode; a USB controller to turn on the switch during a first modeof the USB controller and to turn off the switch during a second mode ofthe USB controller; a processor coupled to the USB controller; and anantenna coupled to the processor.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, whereinthe first mode includes a USB host mode.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14,wherein the second mode includes a USB device mode.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 13, further comprising a circuit board, wherein the USB controlleris located on the circuit board, and the switch is located on thecircuit board and outside the USB controller.
 17. The apparatus of claim13, further comprising a circuit board, wherein the USB controller islocated on the circuit board, and the diode is located on the circuitboard and outside the USB controller.